'Angel' maid interrupted Lakeland youth pastor and teenage girl in hotel room, sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the pastor had been "informally counseling" the 17-year-old girl when he asked to see nude photographs of her. "Let me share a little counseling with Andrew here: Jesus don't like that," Judd said.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the pastor had been "informally counseling" the 17-year-old girl when he asked to see nude photographs of her. "Let me share a little counseling with Andrew here: Jesus don't like that," Judd said.
Polk County school board members votes to end face coverings policy for fall
The new Polk County superintendent and school board members are set to vote on whether to continue the district’s mask mandate.
The new Polk County superintendent and school board members are set to vote on whether to continue the district’s mask mandate.
George Jenkins High student 'massacred' at Bartow park during drug deal, sheriff says
Sheriff Grady Judd said a Lakeland high school student was 'ambushed' and killed when he arrived at a Bartow park to sell marijuana last night. Now the sheriff wants those involved to come forward, offering a $5,000 reward.
Sheriff Grady Judd said a Lakeland high school student was 'ambushed' and killed when he arrived at a Bartow park to sell marijuana last night. Now the sheriff wants those involved to come forward, offering a $5,000 reward.
Lakeland man says mobile home park threatened eviction for pride flag
For many, the pride flag symbolizes equality, but one Lakeland man says his mobile home park won’t allow it. He says management is now warning him that if he doesn't take his flag down, he could be evicted.
For many, the pride flag symbolizes equality, but one Lakeland man says his mobile home park won’t allow it. He says management is now warning him that if he doesn't take his flag down, he could be evicted.
Polk man arrested after former employers – Duke Energy, Coca-Cola – found child porn stored at work: sheriff
Polk County detectives said a man was laid off in 2019 from Duke Energy but he left behind a flash drive filled with child porn imagery – which wasn't discovered until nearly two years later, leading to his arrest.
Polk County detectives said a man was laid off in 2019 from Duke Energy but he left behind a flash drive filled with child porn imagery – which wasn't discovered until nearly two years later, leading to his arrest.
3 dead in Polk County murder-suicide, sheriff's office says
Detectives in Polk County are investigating a murder-suicide in the Poinciana area that resulted in the deaths of three people on Sunday.
Detectives in Polk County are investigating a murder-suicide in the Poinciana area that resulted in the deaths of three people on Sunday.
'I'll bury you': Lake Wales city commissioner arrested after threatening 11-year-old with gun, sheriff says
A city commissioner in Lake Wales was arrested for allegedly threatening an 11-year-old with a gun. "She said, ‘I didn’t say I was going to bury him alive, I just said I was going to bury him,’" Sheriff Grady Judd explained.
A city commissioner in Lake Wales was arrested for allegedly threatening an 11-year-old with a gun. "She said, ‘I didn’t say I was going to bury him alive, I just said I was going to bury him,’" Sheriff Grady Judd explained.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd really wants you to adopt a kitten
June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat month and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd really wants everyone to adopt a kitten.
June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat month and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd really wants everyone to adopt a kitten.
Lakeland landmark diner celebrates 8 decades of being a place to meet and eat
The Reececliff Family Diner, which opened in 1934, is the oldest running restaurant in Lakeland.
The Reececliff Family Diner, which opened in 1934, is the oldest running restaurant in Lakeland.
‘It gives you a lot of faith in humanity’: Good Samaritan helps Polk County tornado victim rebuild home
A veteran is looking forward to moving back home after a tornado that touched down in Polk County last December ripped off the roof and damaged his classic car and motorcycle.
A veteran is looking forward to moving back home after a tornado that touched down in Polk County last December ripped off the roof and damaged his classic car and motorcycle.
'Low-down, no-good' ex-con caught peeping on Auburndale family, sheriff says
A Polk County man who has served time for manslaughter is now charged with voyeurism after being caught on video peeping into a 17-year-old girl's window and possibly trying to open it.
A Polk County man who has served time for manslaughter is now charged with voyeurism after being caught on video peeping into a 17-year-old girl's window and possibly trying to open it.
One found dead following Auburndale house fire
Polk County officials are investigating a house fire after one person was found dead.
Polk County officials are investigating a house fire after one person was found dead.
After finding notes to girls of 'any age,' Polk pastor poses as teen to stop registered sex offender
Polk deputies say a 54-year-old man went looking for underage girls to have sex with, even leaving handwritten notes with his phone number at a Lakeland church. What he didn't expect was for the pastor to get ahold of them first.
Polk deputies say a 54-year-old man went looking for underage girls to have sex with, even leaving handwritten notes with his phone number at a Lakeland church. What he didn't expect was for the pastor to get ahold of them first.
As hurricane season starts again, memories of 2004 will always linger
2004 brought Charley, Jeanne, and Frances -- a triple-hit that left devastation across the Tampa Bay area and central Florida, especially in the normally quiet town of Lake Wales.
2004 brought Charley, Jeanne, and Frances -- a triple-hit that left devastation across the Tampa Bay area and central Florida, especially in the normally quiet town of Lake Wales.
Polk County launches financial rental assistance program
Of the $21.8 million Polk County received in federal COVID-19 relief funds, they’re dedicating $17 million to helping tenants catch up on their rent payments.
Of the $21.8 million Polk County received in federal COVID-19 relief funds, they’re dedicating $17 million to helping tenants catch up on their rent payments.
Police: 19-year-old charged with murder for shooting, killing man in Haines City
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man for murder in a fatal shooting that happened in Haines City on May 23.
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man for murder in a fatal shooting that happened in Haines City on May 23.
Polk deputies investigating fatal multi-vehicle crash
Aaron Michael Russ, 28, of Center Hill, was killed Friday morning in a multi-vehicle crash in Lakeland, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Aaron Michael Russ, 28, of Center Hill, was killed Friday morning in a multi-vehicle crash in Lakeland, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
3 armed teens facing charges after being caught with stolen vehicle, police say
Three teenagers are facing multiple charges after Lakeland police say they had loaded concealed firearms on them as they put air in the tires of a stolen vehicle Wednesday night.
Three teenagers are facing multiple charges after Lakeland police say they had loaded concealed firearms on them as they put air in the tires of a stolen vehicle Wednesday night.
Video of gang members dancing on rival's grave led to series of Winter Haven shootouts, sheriff says
Three teens are facing attempted murder charges after a drive-by shooting in the Winter Haven area, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
Three teens are facing attempted murder charges after a drive-by shooting in the Winter Haven area, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
DeSantis pushes plan for Floridians to receive cheaper prescription drugs from Canada
DeSantis says Floridians are one step away from paying for cheaper prescription drugs imported from Canada. The state just needs a final approval from the federal government.
DeSantis says Floridians are one step away from paying for cheaper prescription drugs imported from Canada. The state just needs a final approval from the federal government.